Connector unit, image forming apparatus, and sheet processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A connector unit includes a connector mounting member having a mounting hole, and a connector passed through the mounting hole and attached to the connector mounting member. The connector includes a terminal portion to which another connector is configured to be connected, and a hook portion engaged with an edge portion of the mounting hole. The connector mounting member includes a panel portion on which the mounting hole is formed, an extending portion extending from the panel portion along an inserting direction of the another connector with respect to the connector, and a regulating portion projected from the extending portion at a position abutting against or close to an end portion opposite to the terminal portion of the connector in the inserting direction. A distance between the regulating portion and the panel portion is shorter than a distance between the terminal portion of the connector and the end portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector unit for electricallyconnecting various electronic devices, an image forming apparatus suchas a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction deviceequipped with a plurality of these functions, and a sheet processingapparatus for performing postprocessing of recording materials.

Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, a mounting structure of a so-called panel mount system inwhich a connector for electrically connecting various electronic devicesexposed to an exterior of a casing of the electronic device is usedwidely. As the mounting structure of the panel mount system, forexample, a structure in which an elastically deformable hook portionprovided on the connector is engaged with an edge portion of a mountinghole on the casing is applicable. By applying such a mounting structureof the panel mount system, a connector can be attached easily to themounting hole on the casing.

However, when connecting a counterpart connector serving as the otherconnector to the connector mounted to the panel, for example, there werecases where the counterpart connector was pushed against the panel in astate where orientations or shapes of connectors were not compatible. Inthat case, there was a possibility that the connector mounted to themounting hole was pushed forcibly. If the connector is pushed forcibly,the connector may be detached from the mounting hole and fall into thecasing. If the connector mounted to the panel fell into the casing, forexample, a cover of the casing must be opened to remove peripheralcomponents of the connector, and the connector must be reattached to themounting hole. Therefore, especially in a space where the image formingapparatus is installed for use by the user, there was a possibility thatthe workability may be deteriorated.

In order to solve this problem, a structure of providing a dedicatedconnector retaining member designed to cover three sides, which are arear side, a top side and a bottom side, of a connector and having theconnector retaining member retain the connector before mounting theconnector retaining member to a mounting hole of a casing has beendeveloped (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open PublicationNo. H02-46670).

According to the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open Publication No. H02-46670 mentioned above, however, in a casewhere the counterpart connector is pushed in a state where theorientations or shapes of the connectors are not compatible, there was arisk that the connector retaining member itself was disengaged from themounting hole of the casing. In that case, the connector retained by theconnector retaining member also fell into the casing, and the connectorswill not be able to be connected with each other. Therefore, aconfiguration capable of suppressing disengagement of the connectormounted to the panel is desired.

The present invention aims at providing a connector unit, an imageforming apparatus, and a sheet processing apparatus that are capable ofsuppressing the connector mounted to a panel from falling into thecasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a connector unitincludes a connector mounting member having a mounting hole, and aconnector configured to be passed through the mounting hole and attachedto the connector mounting member. The connector includes a terminalportion to which another connector is configured to be connected, and ahook portion engaged with an edge portion of the mounting hole. Theconnector mounting member includes a panel portion on which the mountinghole is formed, an extending portion extending from the panel portionalong an inserting direction of the another connector with respect tothe connector, and a regulating portion projected from the extendingportion at a position abutting against or close to an end portionopposite to the terminal portion of the connector in the insertingdirection. A distance between the regulating portion and the panelportion is shorter than a distance between the terminal portion of theconnector and the end portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a connector unitincludes a connector mounting member having a substantially rectangularmounting hole, and a connector configured to be passed through themounting hole and attached to the connector mounting member. Theconnector includes a terminal portion to which another connector isconfigured to be connected, and a plurality of hook portions engagedrespectively with a pair of opposing edge portions among four edgeportions of the mounting hole. The connector mounting member includes apanel portion on which the mounting hole is formed, and a protrudedportion provided on an edge portion of the mounting hole other than theedge portion with which the plurality of hook portions are engaged, theprotruded portion being projected to at least one of an upstream sideand a downstream side of an inserting direction of the another connectorwith respect to the connector.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a connector unitincludes a connector mounting member having a mounting hole, and aconnector configured to be passed through the mounting hole and attachedto the connector mounting member. The connector includes a terminalportion to which another connector is configured to be connected, and ahook portion engaged with an edge portion of the mounting hole. The hookportion includes a first engaging surface, and a second engaging surfacepositioned downstream of the first engaging surface in an insertingdirection of the another connector with respect to the connector andpositioned on an inner side of the first engaging surface in a widthdirection intersecting the inserting direction. The connector mountingmember includes a first engaged surface formed on an edge portion of themounting hole with which the hook portion engages and engaged with thefirst engaging surface, and a second engaged surface positioneddownstream of the first engaged surface in the inserting direction andpositioned on the inner side of the first engaged surface in the widthdirection, the second engaged surface being engaged with the secondengaging surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image ona recording material, and the connector unit according to claim 1.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image ona recording material, a casing accommodated the image forming unit, theconnector unit according to claim 1, the connector unit being providedon the casing, and a storage portion provided below the casing in avertical direction, the storage portion configured to accommodate asheet to be supplied to the image forming unit, the storage portionincluding the another connector.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a sheet processingapparatus includes a binding unit configured to perform a bindingprocess to a recording material, and the connector unit according toclaim 1.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image ona recording material, a casing configured to accommodate the imageforming unit, a connector unit according to claim 6, the connector unitbeing provided on the casing, and a storage portion provided below thecasing in a vertical direction, the storage portion being configured toaccommodate a sheet to be supplied to the image forming unit, thestorage portion including the another connector.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image ona recording material, a casing configured to accommodate the imageforming unit, a connector unit according to claim 9, the connector unitbeing provided on the casing, and a storage portion provided below thecasing in a vertical direction, the storage portion being configured toaccommodate a sheet to be supplied to the image forming unit, thestorage portion including the another connector.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a general configuration ofan image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus accordingto the first embodiment illustrated from a rear side with a small coverclosed.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus accordingto the first embodiment illustrated from the rear side with the smallcover opened.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a recess portion of the imageforming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a connector unit according to the firstembodiment, illustrating a state before attaching a connector.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a connector unit according to the firstembodiment, illustrating a state after attaching the connector.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the connector unit according to thefirst embodiment, illustrating a state before attaching the connector.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the connector unit according to thefirst embodiment, illustrating a state after attaching the connector.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a connector unit according to areference example, illustrating a state where the connector has receivedexternal force and a hook portion has been disengaged.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of a connector mounting member according to thefirst embodiment, illustrating a state before mounting the connector.

FIG. 8B is a plan view of the connector mounting member according to thefirst embodiment, illustrating a state after mounting the connector.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connector unitaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connector unit according to thefirst embodiment illustrated from a bundle wire-side.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector unit according to thefirst embodiment, illustrating a state where the connector is beinginserted.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a connector unit according to a secondembodiment illustrated from a bundle wire-side.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connector unit according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a connector unit according to a thirdembodiment, illustrating a state before mounting a connector.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the connector unit according to thethird embodiment, illustrating a state after mounting the connector.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the connector unit according to thethird embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a connector unit according to areference example, illustrating a state where the connector has receivedexternal force and is tilted.

FIG. 17A is a front view of a connector mounting member according to afourth embodiment.

FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the connector mounting memberaccording to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connector unit according to thefourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a sheet processing apparatus according toanother embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detailwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. The present embodiment illustrates atandem-type full-color printer as an example of an image formingapparatus 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to atandem-type image forming apparatus 1, and it can be applied to othertypes of image forming apparatuses, or to a monochrome or mono-colorprinter instead of the full-color printer. Further, in the followingdescription, the up, down, right, and left directions or positionalrelationships of front and rear sides are based on a state in which theimage forming apparatus 1 is viewed from a front side, that is, based ona viewpoint of FIG. 1. Image Forming Apparatus

The image forming apparatus 1 includes, as illustrated in FIG. 1, anapparatus body 2 which is an example of an image forming apparatus bodycapable of forming an image, a reading unit 3 provided above theapparatus body 2 for reading an image data from a document, and anoperation portion 4 composed of a liquid crystal panel. The apparatusbody 2 includes an image forming portion 5 which is an example of animage forming unit capable of forming an image on a sheet S which is anexample of a recording material, and a fixing portion 6 for fixing animage on the sheet S. The image forming portion 5 and the fixing portion6 are accommodated in a casing 2 a of the apparatus body 2. A sheetdischarge space to which the sheet S is discharged is formed between thereading unit 3 and the apparatus body 2, and a sheet discharge tray 2 bfor supporting the sheet S being discharged is provided in the sheetdischarge space.

A sheet feeding unit 7 for feeding the sheet S to the image formingportion 5 is provided in the apparatus body 2. The sheet feeding unit 7includes sheet cassettes 11 and 12 arranged at a lower part of theapparatus body 2, and a manual sheet feed apparatus 13 arranged on aright-side portion of the apparatus body 2. Further, according to thepresent embodiment, an external sheet cassette apparatus 8, i.e.,cassette pedestal, serving as an example of another apparatus to beconnected to the apparatus body 2 is attached as an extension option toa lower side of the apparatus body 2. The sheet cassette apparatus 8includes sheet cassettes 14 and 15. That is, the sheet cassetteapparatus 8 is an example of a storage portion storing the sheets S tobe supplied to the image forming portion 5, arranged below the casing 2ain the vertical direction. The apparatus body 2 and the sheet cassetteapparatus 8 are connected via a connector unit 40 (refer to FIG. 3). Adetailed configuration of the connector unit 40 will be described below.

The apparatus body 2 includes a pickup roller 16 that abuts against thesheet S supported on a sheet cassette 11 and capable of conveying andfeeding the sheet S, and a feed roller 17 that conveys the sheet S fedby the pickup roller 16. Further, the apparatus body 2 includes a retardroller 18 that forms a separation nip N with the feed roller 17 andseparates the sheets S one at a time. Other sheet cassettes 12, 14, and15 are configured similarly. The image forming portion 5 forms an imageon the sheet S fed from the sheet cassettes 11, 12, 14, and 15.

The image forming portion 5 is a four drum full-color image formingportion equipped with a laser scanner 20, four process cartridges 21,and an intermediate transfer unit 22. These process cartridges formtoner images of respective colors, which are yellow (Y), magenta (M),cyan (C), and black (K). Each process cartridge 21 is equipped with aphotosensitive drum 23, a charging unit 24, a developing unit 25, and acleaner not shown. Toner cartridges 26 respectively storingcorresponding color toner are attached detachably to the apparatus body2 above the image forming portion 5.

The intermediate transfer unit 22 includes an intermediate transfer belt27 wound around a driving roller 27 a and a tension roller 27 b, and theintermediate transfer belt 27 is arranged above the four processcartridges 21. The intermediate transfer belt 27 is arranged to be incontact with the photosensitive drums 23 of the respective processcartridges 21 and driven to rotate in a counterclockwise direction(direction of arrow Q) by the driving roller 27 a driven by a drivingunit not shown. The intermediate transfer unit 22 is equipped withprimary transfer rollers 28 that abut against an inner circumferentialsurface of the intermediate transfer belt 27 at positions opposed to therespective photosensitive drums 23, and primary transfer portions T1 areformed as nip portions between the intermediate transfer belt 27 and thephotosensitive drums 23. Further, the image forming portion 5 includes asecondary transfer roller 29 that abuts against an outer circumferentialsurface of the intermediate transfer belt 27 at a position opposed tothe driving roller 27 a. A secondary transfer portion T2 at which atoner image borne on the intermediate transfer belt 27 is transferred tothe sheet S is formed as a nip portion between the secondary transferroller 29 and the intermediate transfer belt 27.

In the respective process cartridges 21 configured as above, afterelectrostatic latent images are formed by the laser scanner 20 to thesurface of the photosensitive drums 23, toner is supplied from thedeveloping unit 25, by which toner images of respective colors chargedto negative polarity are formed. By having a transfer bias voltage ofpositive polarity applied to the primary transfer rollers 28, the tonerimages are sequentially subjected to multiple transfer, i.e., primarytransfer, to the intermediate transfer belt 27 at each of the primarytransfer portions T1, and a full-color toner image is formed on theintermediate transfer belt 27.

In parallel with such toner image forming process, the sheet S fed fromthe sheet feeding unit 7 is conveyed toward a registration roller pair30, and the sheet S is subjected to skew correction by the registrationroller pair 30. The registration roller pair 30 conveys the sheet S tothe secondary transfer portion T2 at a matched timing with a transfertiming of the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transferbelt 27. By having a transfer bias voltage of positive polarity appliedto the secondary transfer roller 29, the toner image borne on theintermediate transfer belt 27 is secondarily transferred to the sheet Sat the secondary transfer portion T2.

The sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred is heated andpressed at the fixing portion 6, and a color image is fixed to the sheetS. The sheet S having the image fixed thereto is discharged by a sheetdischarge roller pair 31 and supported on the sheet discharge tray 2 b.When forming images on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S issubjected to switch-back by the sheet discharge roller pair 31 afterpassing the fixing portion 6. Then, the sheet S is conveyed again to theimage forming portion 5 through a re-conveyance path 32, and an image isformed on a rear side of the sheet S.

Connector Unit

Next, the connector unit 40 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 2A to 11. At first, aninstallation position of the connector unit 40 according to the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3. FIG.2A is a perspective rear view of the image forming apparatus 1. Theimage forming apparatus 1 is in a state where the sheet cassetteapparatus 8 is attached as an optional apparatus. The apparatus body 2includes a rear cover 33, and a small cover 34 formed at a lower part ofthe rear cover 33 and opened when attaching the sheet cassette apparatus8. FIG. 2B illustrates a state where the small cover 34 is removed. Whenthe small cover 34 is removed, a recess portion 35 that is provided in aconcaved manner from the rear cover 33 is exposed.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the recess portion 35. A rectangular hole36 is formed at a part of a bottom surface 35a of the recess portion 35.The connector unit 40 is provided on an inner side of the apparatus body2 of the rectangular hole 36. A connector 50 retained on the connectormounting member 41 of the connector unit 40 is projected from therectangular hole 36. A counterpart connector 60 which is an example ofanother connector disposed at a leading edge of a bundle wire 61 exposedfrom the sheet cassette apparatus 8 to an exterior of the casing isinserted and connected to the connector 50. An end portion opposite tothe counterpart connector 60 of the bundle wire 61 is connected to anelectric board not shown provided on an inner side of the sheet cassetteapparatus 8. The apparatus body 2 and the optional sheet cassetteapparatus 8 are electrically connected by the connection between theconnector 50 of the apparatus body 2 and the counterpart connector 60 ofthe sheet cassette apparatus 8. Since the sheet cassette apparatus 8 isan optional apparatus, an operation to connect the apparatus body 2 andthe sheet cassette apparatus 8 is performed when the image formingapparatus 1 is installed at the user site.

Next, a general configuration of the connector unit 40 will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A is a perspective viewillustrating the connector mounting member 41 in a state where the rearcover 33 is removed and before the connector 50 is mounted. FIG. 4B is aperspective view of the connector mounting member 41 in a state wherethe connector 50 is mounted. The connector unit 40 includes theconnector 50 and the connector mounting member 41 to which the connector50 is mounted. The connector mounting member 41 is made of syntheticresin and functions as a bundle wire guide for guiding a bundle wire 51of the connector 50. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.4B, a direction in which the counterpart connector 60 is inserted andconnected to the connector 50 of the connector unit 40 is referred to asan inserting direction D1. Further, a direction intersecting theinserting direction D1, which according to the present embodiment is adirection orthogonal to the inserting direction D1 on a horizontalplane, is referred to as a width direction W.

The connector mounting member 41 includes a panel portion 43 on which isformed a mounting hole 42 to which the connector 50 is inserted andmounted, and an extending portion 44 which is formed integrally andextends from the panel portion 43 to the inserting direction D1. Themounting hole 42 is exposed to an exterior through the rectangular hole36 formed on the bottom surface 35a of the recess portion 35 (refer toFIG. 3). Further, the mounting hole 42 is substantially rectangular, andformed along a contour of the connector 50, as illustrated in FIG. 4A.

The bundle wire 51 is integrally disposed on the inserting direction D1side, that is, inserting direction side, of the connector 50. An opening52, which is an example of a terminal portion engageable in anattachable and detachable manner with the counterpart connector 60, isprovided at an end portion opposite to the inserting direction D1 of theconnector 50. Terminal pins not shown are provided at an inner side ofthe opening 52, and the terminal pins are to be connected to terminalpins not shown of the counterpart connector 60. Hook portions 53 andabutting portions 54 are provided at both sides in a width direction ofthe connector 50 intersecting the inserting direction D1. The hookportions 53 are provided in a manner elastically deformable to an innerdirection of the connector 50. The connector 50 is mounted to theconnector mounting member 41 by being inserted to the mounting hole 42of the connector mounting member 41 in an attaching direction D2 whichis opposite to the inserting direction Dl. In the present embodiment,the opening 52 is applied as the terminal portion, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the terminal portion can be anyshape engageable with the counterpart connector 60, and for example, aterminal portion of an existing connector which adopts a projected shapeincluding terminal pins can be adopted.

Next, the configuration of the hook portions 53 and the abuttingportions 54 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B.FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the connector 50 from thebundle wire 51 side. Engaging surfaces 53 a, 53 b, and 53 c facing theinserting direction D1 are provided to the hook portions 53. Since aplurality of the engaging surfaces 53 a, 53 b, and 53 c are provided,even in a case where a plate thickness of the panel portion 43 to whichthe mounting hole 42 is provided differs, engagement can be realized byhaving different combinations of engaging surfaces 53 a, 53 b, and 53 ccorresponding to the plate thickness engage with the panel portion 43.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in whichthe mounting hole 42 is cut at line A-A of FIG. 4A, wherein FIG. 6Aillustrates a state before mounting the connector 50, and FIG. 6Billustrates a state after mounting the connector 50. The connector 50 isinserted to the mounting hole 42 in the attaching direction D2 of FIG.6A. According to the present embodiment, a length Ll (refer to FIG. 6A)in the width direction W of each of the engaging surfaces 53a, 53b, and53c is 0.3 mm. Further, a height H1 (refer to FIG. 6A) in the insertingdirection D1 between adjacent engaging surfaces 53 a, 53 b, and 53 c is0.4 mm. In the present embodiment, a maximum length of an engaging areain the inserting direction D1 at which the hook portions 53 can engagewith the mounting hole 42 is referred to as length Y.

In the process of inserting the connector 50 to the mounting hole 42,the hook portions 53 come into contact with side edge portions 42 a,which are examples of the edge portions, and the hook portions 53elastically deform toward a center side of the connector 50. In thatstate, if the connector 50 is pushed toward the attaching direction D2,the abutting portions 54 of the connector 50 come to abut against aninner side surface 43a of the connector mounting member 41 of the panelportion 43. In this state, the elastically deformed hook portions 53return, and engaging surfaces 53 a of the hook portions 53 are hooked onand engages with an outer side surface 43 b of the panel portion 43 ofthe connector mounting member 41, so that the connector is retainedwithout falling. In a state where the plate thickness of the connectormounting member 41 is thick, engaging surfaces 53 b or engaging surfaces53 c are hooked instead of the engaging surfaces 53 a, by which theconnector 50 is retained on the connector mounting member 41. That is,in the connector unit 40, the connector 50 is mounted to the mountinghole 42 by having the hook portions 53 engage with the side edgeportions 42 a of the mounting hole 42.

Now, a reference example of a case where the connector 50 retained bythe connector mounting member 41 is detached unintentionally will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating the mounting hole 42 cut at line A-A of FIG. 4A. Forexample, according to a case in which the engaging surfaces 53a areengaged with the outer side surface 43 b of the panel portion 43, asillustrated in FIG. 6B, there is a possibility that an external force F1in the inserting direction D1 is excessively applied specifically toonly one side in the width direction W of the connector 50, asillustrated in FIG. 7. In that case, the external force F1 cannot bereceived by the engaging surfaces 53 a and deformation is caused, andfinally, distortion of the engaging surfaces 53 a occurs and theconnector 50 itself may fall from the connector mounting member 41.

Further, the connector mounting member 41 is made of synthetic resin,and a rounded shape may be formed on an edge portion 42 b of themounting hole 42. In that case, the engaging surface 53 a of theconnector 50 may be caught at the edge portion 42 b having the roundedshape, and if the external force F1 in the inserting direction D1 isapplied in that state, the engaging surface 53 a may slip from the edgeportion 42 b to the inserting direction D1, causing the connector 50 tofall.

For example, if the panel portion 43 is made of metal and the mountinghole 42 is formed by punching, punching burrs that may be formed at theside edge portions 42 a may wedge into the engaging surfaces 53 a of theconnector 50, preventing the connector 50 from falling easily. However,due to the recent demand for lower costs, the panel portion 43 is oftenmade of synthetic resin, so there is a demand for preventing theconnector 50 from easily falling even if the panel portion 43 is made ofsynthetic resin.

Further, if the connector 50 mounted to the panel is specifically aconnector for connection with an optional apparatus, the connectingoperation is often performed at the user's site of use of the imageforming apparatus 1, and it may be possible that an unspecified numberof people may perform the operation, unlike the operation performed at afactory. In that case, the connector may be pushed in with excessiveforce or may collide against something, by which the connector 50 isdisengaged from the connector mounting member 41 and fall into theapparatus body 2. When the connector 50 falls into the apparatus body 2,an external cover of the apparatus and peripheral components of theconnector 50 must be detached for repairing, which is difficult torealize at the installation site, so that it is desirable to preventfalling of the connector 50 reliably.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the connector unit 40 accordingto the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8Aand 8B to FIG. 11. FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views illustrating theconnector mounting member 41, wherein FIG. 8A illustrates a state beforemounting the connector 50 and FIG. 8B illustrates a state after mountingthe connector 50. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a statewhere the connector unit 40 is cut at line B-B of FIG. 8B, and FIG. 10is a perspective view of the connector unit 40 taken from the bundlewire 51 side.

The regulating portions 45 formed to project upward in the shape of ribsare provided on the extending portion 44 of the connector mountingmember 41. The regulating portions 45 are provided integrally with theextending portion 44 at a vicinity of an end portion 55 of the connector50 on the bundle wire 51 side in the state mounted to the mounting hole42. In the present embodiment, the distance between the regulatingportions 45 and the end portion 55 is 0.5 mm, but the distance is notlimited thereto. The distance between the regulating portions 45 and theend portions 55 can be longer than 0.5 mm, or can be shorter than 0.5mm, and it can be 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, or the regulatingportions 45 and the end portion 55 can even abut against each otherwithout a gap. In other words, the regulating portions 45 are integrallyprovided on the extending portion 44 so as to oppose to the parts of theconnector 50 facing the inserting direction D1, that is, the end portion55, in the attaching direction D2 in a manner abutting against or closeto the connector 50. Further, a distance from the regulating portions 45to the panel portion 43 on which the mounting hole 42 is formed in theattaching direction D2 is shorter than a distance from the end portion55 of the connector 50 on the bundle wire 51 side to an end portion onthe opening 52 side. In the illustrated example, the regulating portions45 according to the present embodiment are integrally molded as theconnector mounting member 41 with the extending portion 44, butalternatively, they can be fixed integrally to the extending portion 44by an adhesive. As described, since the regulating portions 45 areprovided, the end portion 55 of the connector 50 will abut against theregulating portions 45 when the connector 50 is pushed toward theinserting direction D1 and the hook portions 53 of the connector 50 aredetached from the panel portion 43. Therefore, falling of the connector50 can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, an upper end position of the regulatingportions 45 is lower than an upper part of the mounting hole 42 formedon the panel portion 43 in a state where the connector 50 is mounted tothe mounting hole 42. In further detail, the position of the upper endof the regulating portions 45 is set to be lower than the bundle wire 51in a state where the connector 50 is mounted to the mounting hole 42.When viewed in the inserting direction D1, the regulating portions 45are formed to project from the extending portion 44 so that the heightof the regulating portions 45 from the extending portion 44 is lowerthan the center point of the mounting hole 42, that is, does not exceedthe center point of the mounting hole 42. Therefore, it becomes possibleto suppress the regulating portions 45 from interfering with the bundlewire 51. Further, the height of the regulating portions 45 is set higherthan a lower surface 42 c (refer to FIG. 9) of the mounting hole 42,which is set to a height of 2.5 mm above the lower surface 42 c of themounting hole 42 in the example. Therefore, when the end portion 55 ofthe connector 50 attached to the mounting hole 42 is pushed in theinserting direction D1, the end portion 55 will abut against theregulating portions 45 reliably. In the present embodiment, the centerpoint of the mounting hole 42 is a point at which the diagonal lines ofthe substantially rectangular mounting hole 42 cross each other. In thepresent embodiment, the upper end of the regulating portions 45 is setto be at a position lower than the bundle wire 51 of the connector 50,but the position is not limited thereto, as long as the regulatingportions 45 do not interfere with the bundle wire 51. For example, ifthe bundle wire 51 and the regulating portions 45 satisfy anon-interfering positional relationship in an arrow W directionillustrated in FIG. 10, the upper end of the regulating portions 45 canbe positioned higher than the bundle wire 51.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the connector mounting member 41includes an inclined rib 46 provided to incline from the lower surface42 c toward the extending portion 44 at the inserting direction D1 sideof the mounting hole 42. That is, the inclined rib 46 is provided to beinclined from the extending portion 44 toward the lower end of themounting hole 42. The inclined rib 46 is provided integrally with thepanel portion 43 and the extending portion 44.

Now, a process for assembling the connector 50 to the connector mountingmember 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11. Asillustrated in FIG. 11, in a state where the connector 50 is inserted tothe mounting hole 42, the connector 50 is approached toward the mountinghole 42 with the attaching direction D2 tilted with respect to theinserting direction D1 to avoid the regulating portions 45. In thisstate, the inclined rib 46 guides a leading-edge portion 56 on a lowerside in the attaching direction D2 of the connector 50 to the mountinghole 42. Thus, since the inclined rib 46 is provided, the connector 50can be guided to the lower surface 42 c of the mounting hole 42 bysimply moving the leading-edge portion 56 of the connector 50 along theinclined rib 46, and the workability for mounting the connector 50 tothe mounting hole 42 in an inclined orientation is improved. Then, afterthe whole body of the connector 50 including the end portion 55 haspassed the regulating portions 45, the connector 50 is attached to themounting hole 42 as illustrated in FIG. 9 by changing the direction ofthe attaching direction D2 to a direction along the inserting directionDl.

As described, according to the connector unit 40 of the presentembodiment, the connector mounting member 41 includes the regulatingportions 45, so that even if the connector 50 is pushed in the insertingdirection D1 and the hook portions 53 of the connector 50 aredisengaged, the end portion 55 of the connector 50 will abut against theregulating portions 45. Therefore, in a state where the counterpartconnector 60 is pushed toward the connector 50 in a state where theorientations or shapes of the connectors are not compatible, it becomespossible to suppress the occurrence of the connector 50 being disengagedfrom the mounting hole 42 and falling into the casing 2 a. As described,a fall prevention structure capable of preventing the connector 50 fromfalling into the apparatus body 2 can be realized. Further, since thefall prevention structure can be obtained by a simple configurationwithout increasing the number of components, it can be realized at a lowcost.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. The configuration of aconnector unit 140 according to the present embodiment differs from theconfiguration of the first embodiment in that a regulating portion 145of a connector mounting member 141 is supported by an elastic portion147. The other configurations are similar to the first embodiment, sothat they are assigned with the same reference numerals, and detaileddescriptions thereof are omitted.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, theconnector mounting member 141 includes a panel portion 143, a mountinghole 142 formed on the panel portion 143, and an extending portion 144.The extending portion 144 includes the elastic portion 147 that iselastically deformable in a vertical direction perpendicular to theinserting direction D1 and provided toward the inserting direction D1side than the mounting hole 142. The elastic portion 147 is providedelastically deformably in a direction close to and away from themounting hole 142 when viewed in the inserting direction D1. In thepresent embodiment, the elastic portion 147 is formed by a part in theshape of a cantilever surrounded by a substantially U-shaped notchgroove 148 provided at a portion of the extending portion 144. Theelastic portion 147 is formed so that the attaching direction D2 side isa free end.

The regulating portion 145 is integrated with an end portion of theelastic portion 147 in the attaching direction D2 side and formed toproject upward. The elastic portion 147 is provided elasticallydeformably so that the regulating portion 145 is displaced between aregulating position (solid line of FIG. 13) in which the regulatingportion 145 is overlapped with the mounting hole 142 and a retractingposition (two-dot chain line of FIG. 13) in which the regulating portion145 is not overlapped with the mounting hole 142 when viewed in theinserting direction D1. The surface on the attaching direction D2 sideof the regulating portion 145 is a perpendicular surface orthogonal tothe attaching direction D2, and the surface on the inserting directionD1 side of the regulating portion 145 is an inclined surface orienteddownward at the inserting direction D1 side. The distance between theregulating portion 145 and the end portion 55 of the connector 50 or theheight of the regulating portion 145 are similar to the firstembodiment, so that detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

When inserting the connector 50 to the mounting hole 142, theleading-edge portion 56 at the lower side of the connector 50 pressesthe inclined surface of the regulating portion 145 downward, and theelastic portion 147 is elastically deformed downward as illustrated bythe two-dot chain line of FIG. 13. As described, the connector 50 can beinserted in a state where the attaching direction D2 of the connector 50is maintained in parallel with the inserting direction D1. Thereby, theoperator can assemble the connector 50 similar to a conventionalconnector unit without the regulating portion 145, and the mountingoperation of the connector 50 can be performed without discomfort.

After the end portion 55 of the connector 50 had passed the regulatingportion 145, the regulating portion 145 is returned to its originalposition. Since the surface of the attaching direction D2 side of theregulating portion 145 is a perpendicular surface, even if the connector50 is pushed toward the inserting direction D1 and the hook portions 53of the connector 50 are disengaged, the elastic portion 147 will notdeform elastically when the end portion 55 of the connector 50 abutsagainst the regulating portion 145. Therefore, the connector 50 can beprevented from falling.

As described, according to the connector unit 140 of the presentembodiment, the connector mounting member 141 is equipped with theregulating portion 145, so that even if the connector 50 is pushedtoward the inserting direction D1 and the hook portions 53 aredisengaged, the end portion 55 of the connector 50 will abut against theregulating portion 145. Therefore, even if the counterpart connector 60is pushed toward the connector 50 in a state where the orientations orshapes of the connectors are not compatible, it becomes possible tosuppress the connector 50 from being disengaged from the mounting hole142 and falling into the casing. As described, a fall preventionstructure capable of preventing the connector 50 from falling into theapparatus body 2 can be realized. Further, since the fall preventionstructure can be acquired by a simple configuration without increasingthe number of components, it can be realized at a low cost.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 15. The configuration of aconnector unit 240 according to the present embodiment differs from theconfiguration of the first embodiment in that protruded portions 249 areprovided at an edge portion 242d of a mounting hole 242 of a panelportion 243. The other configurations are similar to the firstembodiment, so that they are assigned with the same reference numerals,and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Now, a connector unit 540 that is not provided with the protrudedportions 249 (refer to FIG. 15) will be described as a reference examplewith reference to FIG. 16. As illustrated in FIG. 16, according to thereference example, a connector mounting member 541 includes a panelportion 543, a mounting hole 542 formed on the panel portion 543, and anextending portion 544. The connector mounting member 541 is not equippedwith the protruded portions 249 (refer to FIG. 15), so that a contactarea between the connector mounting member 541 and the respectivesurfaces of an upper surface 50 a and a lower surface 50 b of theconnector 50 is limited to an inner surface of the mounting hole 542,that is, limited to a thickness of the panel portion 543. Therefore, ifthere is tolerance or play in the mounting hole 542, the connector 50will easily fluctuate vertically with a lower surface 542 c or an uppersurface 542 e of the mounting hole 542 serving as a pivot axis, asillustrated by the two-dot chain line.

If the above-mentioned fluctuation occurs in a state where force in theinserting direction D1 is applied to the connector 50, the engagingsurfaces 53 a (refer to FIG. 5) of the hook portions 53 of the connector50 will not abut against the edge portion of the mounting hole 542 bysurface contact, and they will abut against the end portion by pointcontact. As a result, stress concentrates at the end portions of theengaging surfaces 53 a of the hook portions 53 of the connector 50, sothat distortion is started at those points, and finally, the entireengaging surfaces 53 a are subjected to distortion, so that theconnector 50 can no longer be retained and the connector 50 may bedisengaged and fall from the mounting hole 542. Therefore, according tothe present embodiment, the connector 50 is suppressed from fluctuatingvertically with respect to the mounting hole 542 so as to prevent theconnector 50 from falling.

According to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A, 14B,and 15, a connector mounting member 241 includes the panel portion 243,the mounting hole 242 formed on the panel portion 243, and an extendingportion 244. The connector mounting member 241 includes protrudedportions 249 projected from the edge portion 242 d of the mounting hole242 of the panel portion 243. The protruded portions 249 are provided onthe edge portion 242 d excluding the edge portion where the hookportions 53 are engaged with the mounting hole 242. According to thepresent embodiment, the protruded portions 249 are projected from thepanel portion 243 toward the attaching direction D2, i.e., toward anupstream side in the inserting direction D1. According further to thepresent embodiment, the protruded portions 249 are projected from thepanel portion 243 toward the attaching direction D2, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the protruded portions 249 can beprojected toward at least one of the upstream side or the downstreamside in the inserting direction D1. That is, the protruded portions 249can be provided on one side or both sides in the attaching direction D2of the edge portion 242 d.

According to the present embodiment, the protruded portions 249 are eachprovided on upper and lower edge portions 242 d of the mounting hole242, that is, on a pair of opposing edge portions 242 d excluding theedge portions with which the hook portions 53 of the mounting hole 242are engaged. Further, a length X (refer to FIG. 15) in the insertingdirection D1 of the protruded portions 249 and the edge portion 242 d onwhich the protruded portions 249 are provided is set longer than amaximum length Y (refer to FIG. 6A) in the inserting direction D1 atwhich the hook portions 53 can engage with the mounting hole 242.

The protruded portions 249 include an area 248 which is flush with alower side 242 c and an upper side 242 e of the mounting hole 242. Whenthe connector 50 is mounted to the mounting hole 242, the upper surface50 a and the lower surface 50 b of the connector 50 comes into contactwith the area 248 composed of the protruded portions 249 and themounting hole 42. As described, by providing the protruded portions 249and increasing the contact area with the upper surface 50 a and thelower surface 50 b of the connector 50, vertical fluctuation of theconnector 50 after mounting can be suppressed. Thereby, the engagingsurfaces 53 a of the hook portions 53 of the connector 50 can beprevented from being in point contact with the panel portion 43, so thatdistortion of the engaging surfaces 53 a will not easily occur, and theconnector 50 is suppressed from being pushed in the inserting directionD1 and disengaged.

As described, according to the connector unit 240 of the presentembodiment, since the connector mounting member 241 includes theprotruded portions 249, the protruded portions 249 suppress theconnector 50 from being tilted in the vertical direction and causing thehook portions 53 to be disengaged when the connector 50 is pushed in theinserting direction D1. As described, the present embodiment realizes afall prevention structure of preventing the connector 50 from fallinginto the apparatus body 2. Further, since the structure can be achievedwithout increasing the number of components by a simple configuration ofadditionally providing the protruded portions 249 to the panel portion243 to which the mounting hole 242 is formed, it can be realized at alow cost. Since the structure is simple, there is little designlimitations, and it is applicable to a wide use.

According further to the connector unit 240 of the present embodiment,the protruded portions 249 are provided on both the upper and lower edgeportions 242 d of the mounting hole 242, so that the verticalfluctuation of the connector 50 after mounting can be suppressedeffectively.

According further to the connector unit 240 of the present embodiment,the length X of the edge portion 242 d and the protruded portions 249 inthe inserting direction D1 is set longer than the maximum length Y ofthe engaging area in the inserting direction D1 at which the hookportions 53 can engage with the mounting hole 242. Therefore, sufficientlength of the length X can be ensured, and the vertical fluctuation ofthe connector 50 after mounting can be suppressed effectively.

According to the third embodiment described above, the protrudedportions 249 are provided on each of the upper and lower edge portions242 d of the mounting hole 242, but the present disclosure is notlimited thereto, and the protruded portions 249 can be provided only oneither one of the upper and lower edge portions 242 d. Further accordingto the present embodiment, the length X of the edge portion 242 d andthe protruded portions 249 in the inserting direction D1 is set longerthan the maximum length Y in the inserting direction D1 at which thehook portions 53 can engage with the mounting hole 242, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. For example, even if the length X isequal to or shorter than the length Y, the vertical fluctuation of theconnector 50 after mounting can be suppressed.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 18. A connector unit 340according to the present embodiment differs from the configuration ofthe first embodiment in that a step portion 348 is provided on side edgeportions 342 a which are edge portions of a mounting hole 342 with whichthe hook portions 53 engage. The other configurations are similar to thefirst embodiment, so that they are assigned with the same referencenumerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The connector unit 340 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed with FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 18. FIG. 17A is a front view of aconnector mounting member 341 illustrating the mounting hole 342 from apanel portion 343 side, FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken at lineC-C of FIG. 17A, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a state wherethe connector 50 is mounted. Step portions 348 are provided to the sideedge portions 342a of the mounting hole 342 of the connector mountingmember 341. Each step portion 348 includes a plane flush with an innerside surface 343a of the panel portion 343, and the step portion 348 isprojected toward a center of the mounting hole 342 in the widthdirection W at the inserting direction D1 side of the side edge portions342 a of the mounting hole 342. In the present embodiment, a projectionlength L2 of each step portion 348 from the side edge portion 342 a is,for example, 0.5 mm. Further, a length H2 of the step portion 348 in theinserting direction D1 is, for example, 0.8 mm. A thickness of the panelportion 343 in the inserting direction D1 is, for example, 1.6 mm, andthe step portion 348 occupies half the length of the mounting hole 342in the inserting direction D1.

The connector mounting member 341 includes a first engaged surface 351and a second engaged surface 352 that are formed to face the attachingdirection D2 at each of the side edge portions 342 a. The first engagedsurface 351 is provided on an outer surface 343 b of the panel portion343. The second engaged surface 352 is formed by the plane of the stepportion 348 in the attaching direction D2, and it is arranged toward theinserting direction D1 and on the inner side in the width direction Wthan the first engaged surface 351. Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG.18, the hook portions 53 each include the engaging surface 53 c which isan example of a first engaging surface and the engaging surface 53 awhich is an example of a second engaging surface, which are formed toface the inserting direction D1. The engaging surfaces 53 a are arrangedtoward the inserting direction D1 and on the inner side in the widthdirection W than the engaging surfaces 53 c.

In a state where the connector 50 is mounted to the mounting hole 342,the engaging surfaces 53 c of the hook portions 53 are engaged with thefirst engaged surfaces 351 and the engaging surfaces 53 a are engagedwith the second engaged surface 352, by which the connector 50 isretained. If the step portions 348 are not provided on the side edgeportions 342 a, the connector 50 will be engaged via one engagingsurface, for example, the engaging surface 53 a, on each of the two sideedge portions 342 a. Meanwhile, according to the present embodiment, theconnector 50 is engaged via two engaging surfaces 53 a and 53 c witheach of the side edge portions 342 a. Therefore, if external force isapplied to the connector 50 from the inserting direction D1 to themounting hole 342, the force acting on one engaging surface of the hookportion 53 will be dispersed, so that distortion of the engaging surfacewill not easily occur, and disengagement of the connector 50 issuppressed.

As described, according to the connector unit 340 of the presentembodiment, the connector mounting member 341 includes step portions 348formed at the side edge portions 342a of the mounting hole 342.Therefore, the connector 50 can be engaged therewith via two surfaces,which are the engaging surface 53 a and the engaging surface 53 c,provided on each hook portion 53, so that compared to a case where theconnector 50 is engaged only via one surface, disengagement of the hookportions 53 by the connector 50 being pushed toward the insertingdirection D1 can be suppressed. As described, the present embodimentrealizes a fall prevention structure capable of preventing the connector50 from falling into the apparatus body 2. Further, since the structurecan be achieved without increasing the number of components by a simpleconfiguration of changing the shape of the inner side portion of themounting hole 342, it can be realized at a low cost. Since the structureis simple, there is little design limitations, and it is applicable to awide use.

Other Embodiments

In the fourth embodiment described above, only one step is provided inthe step portion 348 of each side edge portion 342 a, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and two or more step portions can beprovided.

Further according to the first to fourth embodiments described above, anexample has been illustrated of a case where the connector unit 40, 140,240, or 340 is applied to a connecting portion between the image formingapparatus 1 and the sheet cassette apparatus 8, but the presentdisclosure it not limited thereto. For example, it is applicable to arelay provided on a connection path that connects an AC driver circuitboard not shown and a fixing unit provided inside the image formingapparatus 1, or to a relay provided on a connection path that connects apower supply circuit board and various units. Further, it is applicableto a relay of a connection path that connects the connector unit 40,140, 240, or 340 with another circuit board provided inside the imageforming apparatus 1. In these cases, for example, during assemblingoperation of the image forming apparatus 1, the connector can beprevented from being disengaged during connection operation of theconnector. Further, the connector unit 40, 140, 240, or 340 is notlimited to being provided on the image forming apparatus 1, and forexample, it can be applied to a connecting portion between a powersupply circuit board and a cassette heater provided inside the sheetcassette apparatus 8.

Further, the connector unit 40, 140, 240, or 340 can be applied toanother optional apparatus of the image forming apparatus 1, such as asheet processing apparatus including a staple unit for carrying out abinding process to sheets, or to a sheet processing apparatus forcarrying out other processes such as punching and sorting. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 19, an image forming system 100 includes theimage forming apparatus 1 and a sheet processing apparatus 101. Thesheet processing apparatus 101 includes a binding unit 102 that performsa binding process to the sheets S, and a connector unit 440. Theconnector unit 440 mentioned here is for connecting the sheet processingapparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 1, or for connecting thebinding unit 102 and a power supply circuit board not shown in the sheetprocessing apparatus 101.

Further, the first to fourth embodiments were illustrated based on acase where the connector unit 40, 140, 240, or 340 is provided on theimage forming apparatus 1, the sheet cassette apparatus 8, or the sheetprocessing apparatus 101, but the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The connector unit 40, 140, 240, or 340 can be applied as ageneral-purpose connector unit.

Even further, configurations of a plurality of embodiments among thefirst to fourth embodiments described above can be applied to oneconnector unit. For example, the connector unit can adopt theconfigurations of both the first and fourth embodiments, or theconnector unit can adopt the configurations of both the second and thirdembodiments.

The present invention enables to suppress the connector mounted to apanel from being disengaged and falling into the casing.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2021-021683, filed Feb. 15, 2021 which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector unit comprising: a connector mountingmember having a mounting hole; and a connector configured to be passedthrough the mounting hole and attached to the connector mounting member,wherein the connector includes a terminal portion to which anotherconnector is configured to be connected, and a hook portion engaged withan edge portion of the mounting hole, wherein the connector mountingmember includes a panel portion on which the mounting hole is formed, anextending portion extending from the panel portion along an insertingdirection of the another connector with respect to the connector, and aregulating portion projected from the extending portion at a positionabutting against or close to an end portion opposite to the terminalportion of the connector in the inserting direction, and wherein adistance between the regulating portion and the panel portion is shorterthan a distance between the terminal portion of the connector and theend portion.
 2. The connector unit according to claim 1, wherein anupper end of the regulating portion is positioned at a position lowerthan an upper end of the mounting hole when viewed in the insertingdirection.
 3. The connector unit according to claim 1, wherein a heightof the regulating portion from the extending portion is lower than acenter point of the mounting hole when viewed in the insertingdirection.
 4. The connector unit according to claim 1, wherein theconnector mounting member includes an inclined rib that is inclined fromthe extending portion toward a lower end of the mounting hole.
 5. Theconnector unit according to claim 1, wherein the extending portionincludes an elastic portion that is elastically deformable andconfigured to deform to a regulating position where the regulatingportion is overlapped with the mounting hole and to a retractingposition where the regulating portion is not overlapped with themounting hole when viewed in the inserting direction.
 6. A connectorunit comprising: a connector mounting member having a substantiallyrectangular mounting hole; and a connector configured to be passedthrough the mounting hole and attached to the connector mounting member,wherein the connector includes a terminal portion to which anotherconnector is configured to be connected, and a plurality of hookportions engaged respectively with a pair of opposing edge portionsamong four edge portions of the mounting hole, and wherein the connectormounting member includes a panel portion on which the mounting hole isformed, and a protruded portion provided on an edge portion of themounting hole other than the edge portion with which the plurality ofhook portions are engaged, the protruded portion being projected to atleast one of an upstream side and a downstream side of an insertingdirection of the another connector with respect to the connector.
 7. Theconnector unit according to claim 6, wherein the protruded portion isprovided on each edge portion of a pair of opposing edge portions of themounting hole other than the pair of opposing edge portions with whichthe plurality of hook portions are engaged.
 8. The connector unitaccording to claim 6, wherein a length of the protruded portion in theinserting direction is longer than a length of an engaging area in whichthe hook portions engage with the mounting hole in the insertingdirection.
 9. A connector unit comprising: a connector mounting memberhaving a mounting hole; and a connector configured to be passed throughthe mounting hole and attached to the connector mounting member, whereinthe connector includes a terminal portion to which another connector isconfigured to be connected, and a hook portion engaged with an edgeportion of the mounting hole, wherein the hook portion includes a firstengaging surface, and a second engaging surface positioned downstream ofthe first engaging surface in an inserting direction of the anotherconnector with respect to the connector and positioned on an inner sideof the first engaging surface in a width direction intersecting theinserting direction, and wherein the connector mounting member includesa first engaged surface formed on an edge portion of the mounting holewith which the hook portion engages and engaged with the first engagingsurface, and a second engaged surface positioned downstream of the firstengaged surface in the inserting direction and positioned on the innerside of the first engaged surface in the width direction, the secondengaged surface being engaged with the second engaging surface.
 10. Theconnector unit according to claim 1, wherein the connector mountingmember is formed of resin.
 11. An image forming apparatus comprising: animage forming unit configured to form an image on a recording material;and the connector unit according to claim
 1. 12. An image formingapparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an imageon a recording material; a casing accommodated the image forming unit;the connector unit according to claim 1, the connector unit beingprovided on the casing; and a storage portion provided below the casingin a vertical direction, the storage portion configured to accommodate asheet to be supplied to the image forming unit, the storage portionincluding the another connector.
 13. A sheet processing apparatuscomprising: a binding unit configured to perform a binding process to arecording material; and the connector unit according to claim
 1. 14. Animage forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured toform an image on a recording material; a casing configured toaccommodate the image forming unit; the connector unit according toclaim 6, the connector unit being provided on the casing; and a storageportion provided below the casing in a vertical direction, the storageportion being configured to accommodate a sheet to be supplied to theimage forming unit, the storage portion including the another connector.15. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unitconfigured to form an image on a recording material; a casing configuredto accommodate the image forming unit; the connector unit according toclaim 9, the connector unit being provided on the casing; and a storageportion provided below the casing in a vertical direction, the storageportion being configured to accommodate a sheet to be supplied to theimage forming unit, the storage portion including the another connector.